Longview World of Wonders’ Youth Advisory Council spent its inaugural year helping raise awareness about efforts to open a hands-on children’s discovery center in downtown Longview.

LongviewWOW created the advisory council to give youth an avenue to have input into the creation of a hands-on discovery center and to get involved in service learning projects.

LongviewWOW previously had a youth committee, before 2013-14, that was made up of primarily younger children. That group developed the organization’s name, “Longview World of Wonders,” in 2009.

The Youth Advisory Council, which consists of junior high and high school students, in 2013-14 helped develop ideas for exhibits and activities inside the planned hands-on discovery center. The group also participated in the annual Christmas parade in downtown Longview and staged a flash mob during Christmas at the Courthouse. The students also prepared and helped present activities during Dalton Days and AlleyFest.

A new Youth Advisory Council has been selected for 2014-15. This group will help LongviewWOW present Frontiers of the Brain on Oct. 25. This hands-on learning event will feature The MEGA Brain® by Medical Inflatables, a Smart Fair with presentations by local junior high and high school students and activities and displays by other local organizations exploring brain function, health, disease and disability.